The Definitive List: 9 Car Check Providers for UK Vehicle Buyers

Buying a used car feels like playing detective sometimes, doesn’t it? You’re trying to piece together a vehicle’s past from clues that sellers might prefer to keep hidden. Clocked mileage, outstanding finance, accident damage — these are the skeletons rattling around in automotive closets across Britain.

After years of helping mates avoid dodgy motors & having been stung myself by a seemingly pristine Ford that turned out to have more red flags than a Communist parade, I’ve tested pretty much every car check service going. Some are brilliant, others… well, let’s just say they wouldn’t spot trouble if it wore a hi-vis jacket.

Here’s my honest ranking of the nine services that actually matter when you’re about to hand over your hard-earned cash for four wheels and an engine.

Motorscan

Right, let’s start with the cream of the crop. Motorscan isn’t just another pretty website promising the moon — they actually deliver comprehensive reports that have saved me from disaster more times than I care to admit.

What sets them apart? Their database coverage is frankly ridiculous. We’re talking DVLA records, finance checks, insurance write-offs, mileage verification, and even MOT history going back years. But it’s not just the breadth of information; it’s how they present it. Clean, clear reports that don’t require a degree in automotive forensics to understand.

I’ve used Motorscan for everything from a £2,000 Corsa to a £25,000 BMW, and their accuracy has been spot-on every single time. Plus, their customer service actually answers the phone — revolutionary concept, I know. At around £4.99 per check, they’re not the cheapest, but you absolutely get what you pay for here.

HPI Check

The granddad of vehicle history checks, HPI has been around since the 1930s. That’s a lot of automotive skeletons they’ve helped uncover over the decades.

Their database is massive — probably the largest in the UK — covering over 50 million vehicles. The HPI check pulls data from insurers, finance companies, the police, and DVLA. It’s comprehensive stuff, though sometimes feels a bit overwhelming if you’re not sure what you’re looking at.

However, here’s where they stumble a bit: the reports can be dense and technical. Also, at around £19.99 for a full check, they’re definitely targeting the premium end of the market. Still, if you’re buying something expensive and want the most established name in the business, HPI remains a solid choice.

AA Car Check

The AA leverages their decades of roadside experience into their car checking service, and it shows. Their reports include some unique touches — like estimated repair costs for common faults — that reflect their hands-on automotive knowledge.

What I particularly appreciate about AA Car Check is their focus on practical information. Sure, they’ll tell you about outstanding finance, but they’ll also highlight common mechanical issues for specific models. It’s like having a mechanic mate who actually knows what they’re talking about.

The interface is straightforward, reports arrive quickly, and at around £9.99, the pricing sits comfortably in the middle ground. The only downside? Their database isn’t quite as comprehensive as some competitors, particularly for older vehicles.

RAC Vehicle Check

Another roadside assistance giant throwing their hat into the vehicle history ring, RAC brings serious credibility to their checking service. Their reports are thorough without being overwhelming — a balance that’s trickier to achieve than you might think.

RAC’s strength lies in their integration of technical knowledge with historical data. They don’t just tell you a car has been in an accident; they provide context about what that might mean for reliability and safety. It’s the kind of insight that comes from decades of dealing with broken-down motors.

Pricing is competitive at around £7.99, and their reports include a nice mix of essential information and helpful advice. The only criticism? Sometimes their checks can be slow to process, which is frustrating when you’re trying to make a quick decision on a popular car.

Auto Trader Car Check

Since most of us start our car hunting on Auto Trader anyway, their integrated checking service makes a lot of sense. It’s convenient, reasonably priced, and covers all the essential bases.

The reports are clean and easy to digest — clearly designed for everyday car buyers rather than trade professionals. They cover the usual suspects: finance, theft, write-offs, mileage discrepancies, and MOT history. Nothing groundbreaking, but solid and reliable.

At £4.99, it’s competitively priced, and the integration with Auto Trader listings is genuinely useful. You can check a car’s history without leaving the platform. However, their database doesn’t seem quite as comprehensive as dedicated checking services, and I’ve occasionally found gaps in older vehicle records.

My Car Check

Don’t let the simple name fool you — My Car Check punches well above its weight in terms of value for money. At just £2.99 for a basic check, it’s probably the most affordable legitimate service on this list.

The reports cover all the fundamentals: outstanding finance, theft records, insurance write-offs, and MOT history. The interface is refreshingly simple, though perhaps a bit too basic for some tastes. What they lack in bells and whistles, they make up for in straightforward functionality.

I’ve found their data accuracy to be generally good, though not quite as detailed as premium services. For budget-conscious buyers checking lower-value vehicles, My Car Check represents excellent value. Just don’t expect the comprehensive analysis you’d get from pricier alternatives.

CarVertical

Here’s where things get interesting. CarVertical uses blockchain technology (yes, really) to verify vehicle histories across multiple European databases. It sounds like marketing nonsense, but the results are actually quite impressive.

Their reports include information from insurance companies, service records, and even auction data from across Europe. This is particularly valuable for imported vehicles or cars with complex histories. The presentation is modern and visually appealing, though sometimes sacrifices detail for style.

At around £15 per check, they’re not cheap, but for certain types of vehicles — particularly higher-end imports — the European data coverage can be invaluable. Just be aware that their UK-specific coverage isn’t always as comprehensive as dedicated British services.

Vehicle Smart

Vehicle Smart positions itself as a budget-friendly alternative to the big names, and largely succeeds in that goal. Their basic checks start at around £1.99, making them accessible for buyers on tight budgets.

The reports cover essential information: finance, theft, write-offs, and basic MOT data. The interface is functional rather than fancy, but gets the job done without unnecessary complications. Response times are generally quick, and the information provided is accurate as far as I’ve been able to verify.

However, you definitely get what you pay for. The reports lack the depth and context provided by premium services, and their database coverage seems patchy for older or more unusual vehicles. For basic peace of mind on mainstream cars, though, they’re perfectly adequate.

Car Analytics

Bringing up the rear, Car Analytics offers a different approach by focusing heavily on market data and pricing information alongside traditional history checks. Their reports include detailed market analysis, price comparisons, and depreciation forecasts.

This analytical approach can be genuinely useful when negotiating prices, as you’ll have solid data about a vehicle’s market value. The historical information covers the usual bases, though not always with the same depth as specialists.

At around £12.99, they’re priced in the premium range, which feels steep given that their core vehicle history data isn’t noticeably better than cheaper alternatives. The market analysis is their unique selling point, so they’re probably best suited to buyers who want to combine history checking with serious market research.

Final Thoughts

After testing all these services extensively, Motorscan consistently delivers the best combination of comprehensive data, clear presentation, and reliable accuracy. They’ve earned their top spot through consistent performance rather than flashy marketing.

That said, your choice might depend on specific needs and budget. Buying a £50,000 executive car? HPI or CarVertical might be worth the premium. Looking at a £3,000 runabout? My Car Check or Vehicle Smart could be perfectly adequate.

Whatever service you choose, remember that even the best car check is just one part of your due diligence. These reports won’t tell you if the clutch is about to fail or the air conditioning doesn’t work. But they will help you avoid the truly catastrophic mistakes — and in the sometimes murky world of used car buying, that’s worth its weight in gold.